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West York Council extends police contract for 12 years

Members also approved a 12-year contract extension with the borough's police department.

By Hannah Sawyer

hsawyer@ydr.com @HsawyerYDR on Twitter

Updated:
02/04/2014 12:09:02 PM EST

West York Borough Council voted unanimously to extend a collective bargaining agreement with the borough police department.

The agreement adds on 12 years to the current contract, securing an arrangement through 2028, and allows for a two percent cost-of-living pay increase each year for the borough's eight officers beginning in 2017. The current contract, a three-year contract that began this year and will end in 2017, allows for no pay increase this year, and then a 1 percent pay increase in both 2016 and 2017.

The 12-year contract extension includes a clause regarding health insurance that ensures for "good faith" negotiations between the department and borough if costs rise — meaning that the officers would be expected to pay a higher portion of their healthcare bill if it increases, Council president Brian Wilson said.

"This is one big step in really ensuring that West York Borough will have a police department for a very long time," he said.

In other business, council members voted in two new members to fill vacancies created by the resignations of former council members Steve Herman and Nancy Laird.

Joe Mummert, 77, was appointed in a 5-1 vote. Varlen Gibbs, who led the vacancy board but is not a member of council, cast the dissenting vote.

Mummert served on council for four years in the past, but lost in the election this fall, he said. During the interview process, he cited previous experience serving on police and fire committees among his qualifications.

"I'm happy to be back," he said following the meeting.

Council also appointed Garrett Wampler, 23, in a 3-2 vote. Mary Wagner and Nicholas Laughman voted against the nomination. Wilson recused himself from the vote.

Wampler, who did not meet the residency requirements to run during the November election, said he would focus on fundraising events, such as a 5K race, that would supplement the borough's budget and also bring residents together.

Correction: The original story incorrectly stated the contract extension that West York Borough Council approved Monday night was a 15-year extension. However, Council President Brian Wilson clarified Tuesday that the contract extension is for 12 years. "It really isn't 15 more years, it's 12 more years," Wilson said. "It's actually a 12-year extension...It's guaranteed that we have a police department for the next 15 years, until 2028." Wilson said borough council's excitement over the contract extension likely contributed to confusion over the length of the contract during Monday's council meeting. The contract extension allows for a 2 percent cost-of-living pay increase each year of the extension, and that will begin when the current contract extension expires at the end of 2016. This year, the officers will see no pay increase, and in both 2015 and 2016, officers will see a 1 percent pay increase.